Toro Dealer lost

[bertsmobile1]

Yeah, I know I'm supposed to keep $100,000 in parts for all you guys, so I can keep your business. You probably bought the unit at the Big Box Store anyway, so I'm also supposed to be a mind reader to know which parts I would need for your unit. I know you'll come see me when you have a problem you can't handle. Then you'll complain I charge too much and don't get the job done, because you need your unit as this is your business.

Yes I know exactly where you are coming from.
My predecessor held no new stock other than oils & filters.
Job came in he assesed it ordered the parts then moved on to the next one, put another order in and so on.
I tried that but it just did not work. He had space for 20 mowers, I do not so I just started doubling the orders so I keep in stock what existing customers actually use.
It seems t be working as regular commercial customers can usually get overnight services and most times overnight repairs which is why I now have almost all the local contractors on my books.
Down side is I also have $ 85,000 in parts sitting on the shelves but the upside is all the commercial customers were happy to forgo the 25% discount Bert gave them in favour of overnight servicing and the ability to drop off after 5pm and pick up at 4 am on their way to the first job so it is sort of paying for itself.

Down here parts can easily take 6 months because most dealers keep very little stock other than filters belts & blades.
That was wher jacks became a godsend, I can get parts faster from Jacks than I can from the locall franchises.
Oddly enough the old school shops that have been in the family for several generations do keep good inventories and I have a few that I can call on and do so at every oppertunity.